Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has been passionate about this matter but it was examined in detail. The challenges and risks are high. It is my view and the view of the Department that retrospective application of these particular conditions is not possible. There will, therefore, be no refunds for contributions already made towards the cost of care for those who have already spent in excess of three years in care prior to the Bill being commenced. I will clarify again, however, that the time a person has already spent in care counts when making up the three years to qualify for the cap.

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